Wednesday, February 2, 2011

"I was Douglas Adams' flatmate" hits the shelves

"I was Douglas Adams flatmate" is sadly not just about Douglas Adams as you can guess if you read the full tittle "... And other encouters with legends". This book, based on a Radio 4 series, also tells you about Ernest Hemingway, Sam Peckinpah, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, Morrissey,...

I haven't read the book yet but this could be quite an interesting read.

In this collection of interviews, Andrew McGibbon talks to a close friend or collaborator of each of these often near-mythical figures. We hear the story of how Johnny Cash became the Man in the Black Suit from his tailor, Manuel; we hear about Les Dawson’s literary aspirations from his joke writer, David Nobbs; Jon Canter, flatmate, recounts the time he spent living with Douglas Adams as he turned from aspiring writer into international star; and in the final chapter, the author tells his own story of his brief spell as the drummer for Morrissey.

Brought sharply into focus through stories and recollections of incidents and day-to-day details, I Was Douglas Adams’s Flatmate offers intimate portraits, full of anecdote and detail, that show the subjects in a different light, close-up and often very personal. Because, while the legends encountered may be or have been extraordinary people whose public lives have been well documented, they still suffered ailments, drank to excess occasionally, bumped their heads and fell in love."